Artificial intelligence

Authors in London protest Meta’s copyright violations

A wave of protest has hit Meta’s London headquarters today as authors and publishing professionals gather to voice their outrage over the tech giant’s reported use of pirated books to develop AI tools.

Among the protesters are acclaimed novelists Kate Mosse and Tracy Chevalier and poet Daljit Nagra, who assembled in Granary Square near Meta’s King’s Cross office to deliver a complaint letter from the Society of Authors (SoA).

At the heart of the protest is Meta’s alleged reliance on LibGen, a so-called ‘shadow library’ known for hosting over 7.5 million books, many without the consent of their authors.

A recent searchable database published by The Atlantic revealed that thousands of copyrighted works, including those by renowned authors, may have been used to train Meta’s AI models, provoking public outcry and legal action in the US.

Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, chair of the SoA, condemned Meta’s reported actions as ‘illegal, shocking, and utterly devastating for writers,’ arguing that such practices devalue authors’ time and creativity.

‘A book can take a year or longer to write. Meta has stolen books so that their AI can reproduce creative content, potentially putting these same authors out of business’ she said.

Meta has denied any wrongdoing, with a spokesperson stating that the company respects intellectual property rights and believes its AI training practices comply with existing laws.

Still, the damage to trust within the creative community appears significant. Author AJ West, who discovered his novels were listed on LibGen, described the experience as a personal violation:

‘I was horrified to see that my novels were on the LibGen database, and I’m disgusted by the government’s silence on the matter,’ he said, adding, ‘To have my beautiful books ripped off like this without my permission and without a penny of compensation then fed to the AI monster feels like I’ve been mugged.’

Legal action is already underway in the US, where a group of high-profile writers, including Ta-Nehisi Coates, Junot Díaz, and Sarah Silverman, have filed a lawsuit against Meta for copyright infringement.

The suit alleges that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other top executives knew that LibGen hosts pirated content when they greenlit its use for AI development.

The protest is also aimed at UK lawmakers. Authors like Richard Osman and Kazuo Ishiguro have joined the call for British officials to summon Meta executives before parliament.

The Society of Authors has launched a petition on Change.org that has already attracted over 7,000 signatures.

Demonstrators were urged to bring placards and spread their message online using hashtags like #MetaBookThieves and #MakeItFair as they rally against alleged copyright violations and for broader protection of creative work in the age of AI.

The case, one of the lots, describes the increasingly tense relationship between the tech industry, content and data policies in training AI systems, which hardly depend on the written word and the most various literature, facts, and info from the written tradition to be trained (and thus able) to respond to most various user requests and alongside be accurate in their responses.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

The overlooked legacy of the Lwów–Warsaw school in shaping modern AI

AI may seem like a modern marvel, but its foundations stretch back to early 20th-century philosophical thought—particularly to the Lwów–Warsaw School of Philosophy. In a recent blog by Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of Diplo, he highlights how this influential movement, established by Kazimierz Twardowski and active between the world wars, made groundbreaking contributions to logic, semantics, and analytical philosophy—fields that underpin today’s AI systems.

Despite being overshadowed by more famous contemporaries like the Vienna Circle, the Lwów–Warsaw School cultivated thinkers whose work continues to shape how machines process language and make decisions. Among the most influential figures was Alfred Tarski, whose formal definition of truth laid the groundwork for natural language processing (NLP), enabling AI to understand and generate human language.

Another key contributor, Jan Łukasiewicz, developed many-valued logic—a system that goes beyond simple true/false decisions and allows machines to reason through uncertainty, essential in complex tasks like autonomous driving or medical diagnostics. The school’s importance isn’t just technical.

Its strong emphasis on analytical rigour also offers tools for navigating AI’s growing ethical concerns—ranging from fairness in algorithmic decisions to broader questions about consciousness and societal impact. Though these philosophical aspects are less often discussed, they’re crucial for ensuring AI development remains responsible and aligned with human values.

The intellectual legacy is rarely acknowledged in mainstream AI history. Yet, as Kurbalija emphasises, AI’s roots are deeper and more diverse than we often realise. Revisiting the Lwów–Warsaw School highlights how past ideas can still guide us in shaping the technologies of tomorrow.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI transforms autism therapy in China

In Shenzhen, a quiet breakthrough is unfolding in autism rehabilitation as AI-powered tools begin to transform how young children receive therapy.

At a local centre, a therapist guides a three-year-old boy through speech exercises, while an AI system documents progress and instantly generates a tailored home-training plan, offering much-needed support to both therapists and families.

China faces a severe shortage of autism therapists, with only around 100,000 professionals serving a community of over 10 million individuals, including 3 million children.

Traditional diagnosis and treatment rely on time-consuming behavioural assessments. Now, AI is streamlining this process.

Centres like Dami & Xiaomi, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, have developed RICE AI, a system trained on over 80 million behavioural data points to generate faster, personalised interventions and even custom visual materials for home learning.

By dramatically reducing workloads and enhancing precision, AI is helping to close the gap in early intervention and support.

More facilities are following suit, with efforts underway to unify and open-source these tools across the country. As one mother tearfully recalled her autistic son’s first spoken word, the emotional impact of this technological shift was clear, AI is not replacing care, but deepening it.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Emergence AI launches platform that builds AI with AI

The startup Emergence AI has launched a new no-code platform that allows users to generate custom AI agents simply by describing tasks in natural language.

These agents can then autonomously create other, more specialised agents to complete complex work, in real time and without requiring human coding expertise.

The system, which the company calls a breakthrough in ‘recursive intelligence’, checks its registry of agents for task compatibility. If existing agents aren’t suitable, new ones are created instantly to handle the job.

These can also anticipate related tasks, boosting automation across enterprise operations. Emergence AI claims the platform can seamlessly orchestrate collaboration among multiple agents, bringing a new level of efficiency to data transformation, migration, analytics, and even code generation and verification.

Users can select from a range of major large language models including OpenAI’s GPT-4.5, Anthropic’s Claude, and Meta’s Llama. Enterprises can also integrate their own models.

With safety and oversight in mind, Emergence AI has built in access controls, performance verification tools, and human review processes to ensure responsible deployment. Pricing has yet to be disclosed, but interested parties are encouraged to contact the firm directly.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Qualcomm taps Vietnamese talent to push AI innovation

Qualcomm has acquired MovianAI, the generative AI division of Vietnam’s VinAI, in a move aimed at enhancing its capabilities across smartphones, PCs, and automotive technologies.

The US chipmaker described the acquisition as a strategic step to fuel future innovation in AI, with particular emphasis on customised models and advanced engineering.

MovianAI brings expertise in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Qualcomm highlighted the value of adding ‘high-calibre talent’ to its engineering team, with MovianAI’s founder and CEO Hung Bui, who previously worked at Google DeepMind, set to join the company.

Bui stated that his team is eager to contribute to Qualcomm’s mission of scaling foundational AI breakthroughs across industries.

Qualcomm has a two-decade history of working with Vietnamese companies, particularly in 5G, IoT, and AI development. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Vietnamese outlet VNExpress International reported that Qualcomm has acquired a 65 per cent stake in MovianAI.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Studio Ghibli director warns AI can’t replicate emotional depth

AI may soon be capable of producing entire animated films, warns Goro Miyazaki, son of the iconic Hayao Miyazaki and managing director at Studio Ghibli.

Amid a viral trend of AI-generated images mimicking Ghibli’s hand-drawn style, Goro reflected on both the potential and risks of generative technology. While automation could ease Japan’s animator shortage, he believes the emotional depth that defines Ghibli’s work cannot be replicated by machines.

Speaking from Ghibli’s atelier in Tokyo, Goro acknowledged that AI could soon produce full-length features, yet questioned whether audiences would accept creations lacking human touch.

He also noted that the new wave of tools may unlock creative opportunities for previously overlooked talent.

Nonetheless, he stressed the irreplaceable vision of artists like his father, whose Oscar-winning final film The Boy and the Heron continues to embody themes of loss and mortality, drawn from postwar experience.

OpenAI, whose ChatGPT image generator has fuelled the online Ghibli-style craze, claims to block imitations of living artists while allowing broader studio aesthetics.

As AI redefines content creation, Goro warned against losing the uniquely human elements, both light and dark, that have given Studio Ghibli’s films their enduring depth and resonance.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

South Korea faces industry pushback on AI Basic Act

Global tech companies, including OpenAI and Google, have urged the South Korean government to take a flexible approach to its upcoming AI regulations.

Representatives from OpenAI, Google, and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) met with the Ministry of Science and ICT to discuss the AI Basic Act, which takes effect in 2026.

The AI Basic Act, passed in December, aims to promote AI development while ensuring safety, making South Korea the second region after the European Union to introduce such legislation.

Tech firms raised concerns over potential regulatory burdens, particularly in defining high-impact applications and operator liability.

South Korean officials are now drafting enforcement ordinances for the new law. Industry representatives have requested a less rigid approach compared with the stricter AI regulations in the EU, hoping to balance innovation with compliance.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Meta’s AI research VP Joelle Pineau announces departure

Joelle Pineau, the Vice President of AI research at Meta, announced she will be leaving the company by the end of May, after nearly eight years with the organisation.

Pineau, who joined Meta in 2017, has overseen key AI initiatives, including the FAIR research unit, PyTorch, and the Llama AI models.

In a LinkedIn post, Pineau reflected on her time at Meta, mentioning the creation of groundbreaking AI projects such as PyTorch, FAISS, and Roberta.

She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside top AI researchers, with the aim of accelerating innovation through open-source contributions.

Pineau, also a professor at McGill University, stated that after her departure, she plans to take some time to reflect before pursuing new ventures. Her departure comes as Meta intensifies its focus on AI, including the recent launch of its Meta AI chatbot in Europe.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Meta’s Hypernova smart glasses promise cutting-edge features and advanced display technology

Meta is preparing to launch an advanced pair of smart glasses under the codename Hypernova, featuring a built-in display and gesture control capabilities.

The new device, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, aims to enhance user convenience by offering features such as media viewing, map navigation, and app notifications.

Unlike previous models, the Hypernova glasses will have a display located in the lower right corner of the right lens, allowing users to maintain a clear view through the left lens.

The glasses will be powered by Qualcomm silicon and run on a customised version of Android. Meta is also developing a wristband, codenamed Ceres, which will provide gesture-based controls, including pinch-to-zoom and wrist rotation.

The wristband is expected to be bundled with the glasses, offering users a more seamless and intuitive experience.

Retail pricing for the Hypernova smart glasses is expected to range between $1,000 and $1,400, significantly higher than current VR-ready smart glasses like the Viture Pro and Xreal One.

However, Meta aims to differentiate its product through enhanced functionality and fashionable design, making it an appealing option for consumers looking for both style and utility.

The Hypernova glasses are projected to hit the market by the end of 2025. Meta is also developing additional augmented reality products, including the Orion holographic glasses and research-focused Aria Gen 2 AR glasses.

Competitors like Samsung are expected to launch similar Android-based smart glasses around the same time, setting the stage for an exciting year in the wearable tech market.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Ghibli trend as proof of global dependence on AI: A phenomenon that overloaded social networks and systems

It is rare to find a person in this world (with internet access) who has not, at least once, consulted AI about some dilemma, idea, or a simple question.

The wide range of information and rapid response delivery has led humanity to embrace a ‘comfort zone’, allowing machines to reason for them, and recently, even to create animated photographs.

This brings us to a trend that, within just a few days, managed to spread across the planet through almost all meridians – the Ghibli style emerged spontaneously on social networks. When people realised they could obtain animated versions of their favourite photos within seconds, the entire network became overloaded.

Art, Painting, Person, Computer, Computer Hardware, Computer Keyboard, Electronics, Hardware, Face, Head, Cartoon, Pc, Book, Publication, Yuriko Yamaguchi

Since there was no brake mechanism, reactions from leading figures were inevitable, with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, speaking out.

He stated that the trend had surpassed all expectations and that servers were ‘strained’, making the Ghibli style available only to ChatGPT users subscribed to Plus, Pro, and Team versions.

Besides admiring AI’s incredible ability to create iconic moments within seconds, this phenomenon also raises the issue of global dependence on artificial intelligence.

Why are we all so in love with AI?

The answer to this question is rather simple, and here’s why. Imagine being able to finally transform your imagination into something visible and share all your creations with the world. It doesn’t sound bad, does it?

This is precisely where AI has made its breakthrough and changed the world forever. Just as Ghibli films have, for decades, inspired fans with their warmth and nostalgia, AI technology has created something akin to the digital equivalent of those emotions.

People are now creating and experiencing worlds that previously existed only in their minds. However, no matter how comforting it sounds, warnings are often raised about maintaining a sense of reality to avoid ‘falling into the clutches’ of a beautiful virtual world.

Balancing innovation and simplicity

Altman warned about the excessive use of AI tools, stating that even his employees are sometimes overwhelmed by the progress of artificial intelligence and the innovations it releases daily.

As a result, people are unable to adapt as quickly as AI, with information spreading faster than ever before.

However, there are also frequent cases of misuse, raising the question – where is the balance?

The culture of continuous production has led to saturation but also a lack of reflection. Perhaps this very situation will bring about the much-needed pause and encourage people to take a step back and ‘think more with their own heads’.

Ghibli is just one of many: How AI trends became mainstream

AI has been with us for a long time, but it was not as popular until major players like OpenAI, Gemini, Azure, and many others appeared. The Ghibli trend is just one of many that have become part of pop culture in recent years.

Since 2018, we have witnessed deepfake technologies, where various video clips, due to their ability to accurately recreate faces in entirely different contexts, flood social networks almost daily.

AI-generated music and audio recordings have also been among the most popular trends promoted over the past four years because they are ‘easy to use’ and offer users the feeling of creating quality content with just a few clicks.

There are many other trends that have captured the attention of the global public, such as the Avatar trend (Lensa AI), generated comics and stories (StoryAI and ComicGAN), while anime-style generators have actually existed since 2022 (Waifu Labs).

Are we really that lazy or just better organised?

The availability of AI tools at every step has greatly simplified everyday life. From applications that assist in content creation, whether written or in any other format.

For this reason, the question arises – are we lazy, or have we simply decided to better organise our free time?

This is a matter for each individual, and the easiest way to examine is to ask yourself whether you have ever consulted AI about choosing a film or music, or some activity that previously did not take much energy.

AI offers quick and easy solutions, which is certainly an advantage. However, on the other hand, excessive use of technology can lead to a loss of critical thinking and creativity.

Where is the line between efficiency and dependence if we rely on algorithms for everything? That is an answer each of us will have to find at some point.

A view on AI overload: How can we ‘break free from dependence’?

The constant reliance on AI and the comfort it provides after every prompt is appealing, but abusing it leads to a completely different extreme.

The first step towards ‘liberation’ is to admit that there is a certain level of over-reliance, which does not mean abandoning AI altogether.

Understanding the limitations of technology can definitely be the key to returning to essential human values. Digital ‘detox’ implies creative expression without technology.

Can we use technology without it becoming the sole filter through which we see the world? After all, technology is a tool, not a dominant factor in decision-making in our lives.

Ghibli trend enthusiasts – the legendary Hayao Miyazaki does not like AI

The founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, recently reacted to the trend that has overwhelmed the world. The creator of famous works such as Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and many others is vehemently opposed to the use of AI.

Known for his hand-drawn approach and whimsical storytelling, Miyazaki has addressed ethical issues, considering that trends and the mass use of AI tools are trained on large amounts of data, including copyrighted works.

Besides criticising the use of AI in animation, he believes that such tools cannot replace the human touch, authenticity, and emotions conveyed through the traditional creation process.

For Miyazaki, art is not just a product but a reflection of the artist’s soul – something machines, no matter how advanced, cannot truly replicate.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

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